The USU Grand County Extension staff appreciates the opportunity to be of service to our fellow citizens. We know there are varying ways for you to obtain information, but in our unique role of being tasked to provide unbiased research-based information to the public, our goal is to bring you the most reliable information.

We are here to answer your questions, to write publications and work on future programs for you to attend and we are always looking for other ways to assist you in making your lives happier and healthier.

Recently, we had a change in our staff assistant/4-H coordinator so I would like to welcome Kira Rindlisbacher to the staff – she started Oct. 21. Kira was born and raised in Moab. She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in human development and family studies and has a strong background in child and adolescent development and family systems. Through her education and training, she has had the opportunity to work with families and youth in several different settings and capacities.

Kira is a certified child life specialist, which means that she is trained to help children and families overcome challenging life events through developmentally appropriate education and emotional support.

With her background and enthusiasm Kira will be a great addition to the staff and will take the lead in managing the 4-H youth program, along with helping with office issues and assisting in other program development.

For youth there is an upcoming opportunity in which we will be participating along with some of our great 4-H volunteers. The Make One Take One event will be held at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 East 100 North, on Monday, Dec. 9 from 1 to 6 p.m. This event is sponsored by Grand County Prevent Child Abuse and the Family Support Center and is for youth ages preschool through fourth grade. The youth will receive three “Santa Bucks” to go shopping for family members among the many items donated for this event. After the gifts are chosen, the children will have the opportunity to wrap their presents and then make some holiday crafts to take home. There will be a visit from Santa Claus and refreshments will be provided.

In about two months Grand County Extension will be hosting the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This will be our sixth year of operation for this federally sponsored program. VITA provides tax preparation services for those making up to about $52,000 annually. Each year we have seen an increase in the number of people we help, and we hope to have an increase this coming tax season.

While the IRS has not announced their starting date to begin processing tax returns we currently expect to start our season the last week of January.

Remember that for us to help you through this service it is required that you and any other family members have your actual social security cards. If you have lost your card and want our help you should see about getting a replacement card now. You can check the Social Security Administration’s website at www.ssa.gov/ to see the documents you will need in order to get a replacement card. You can download the application and either mail it in to a Social Security office, or take the form and documents to a local office. There is an office in Grand Junction, which is the closest office to Moab.

We also expect to provide other programming next year, including horticulture classes, various 4-H activities and clubs, some health and wellness programming and, if funds are available, some Individual Development Account (IDA) classes, along with other new programming. Look for ads for any of our programs in The Times-Independent and other local sources of information.

Thought for the day: “Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.” —Sophia Loren.

Have an idea you’d like Mike to consider writing about? Want more information about these topics? Call the Utah State University Extension Grand County office at 435-259-7558 or email Mike Johnson at mike.johnson@usu.edu.

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